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Purgatory
What would you do if the world plunged itself headfirst into a zombie apocalypse? Would you survive? Or would you wither away like everyone else did?
I have no idea how, but I survived and let me tell you, it SUCKS! Being stuck on an endless road of disappointment, misery and loneliness can only be summed up in one word- Purgatory.
Well, that is until I meet them. Hawk, Cole and Jax. Two Marines and a Corpsman who, against all odds, survive to take me in and show me the way to paradise.
Purgatory, book 1 of the Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse series, is a "why choose" romantic literary work of fiction intended for adult readers (18+). Sensitive content and triggers contained within.
Triggers PTSD, Loss/ death, anxiety, mentions of suicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, and various kinks/ fetishes.
Kinks/ BDSM, degradation, praise, edging, breath play, choking
While our editors do their best to find any and all errors, if you do read this novel and come to find any mistakes, please feel free to message me here and let me know. Thank you and I hope you enjoy :)
I have no idea how, but I survived and let me tell you, it SUCKS! Being stuck on an endless road of disappointment, misery and loneliness can only be summed up in one word- Purgatory.
Well, that is until I meet them. Hawk, Cole and Jax. Two Marines and a Corpsman who, against all odds, survive to take me in and show me the way to paradise.
Purgatory, book 1 of the Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse series, is a "why choose" romantic literary work of fiction intended for adult readers (18+). Sensitive content and triggers contained within.
Triggers PTSD, Loss/ death, anxiety, mentions of suicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, and various kinks/ fetishes.
Kinks/ BDSM, degradation, praise, edging, breath play, choking
While our editors do their best to find any and all errors, if you do read this novel and come to find any mistakes, please feel free to message me here and let me know. Thank you and I hope you enjoy :)
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
412 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Visconti
5 books29 followersHi there! Nikki here. Mother of three, wife to a husband that is too sexy for his own good, and a self-published indie author that likes to let my insanely kinky mind let loose and have fun. Apart from reading and writing romance, I also like to cook, rock climb and, during the warmer months, spend as many of my days as I can out in the sun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 6, 2023
Not bad, but not great either. I liked the story and did find it be original in how it unfolded and the specifics of characters and setting. The writing was a bit amateur and there was a lot of internal commentary, jokes, and references that I found to be irritating after reading them for 400 pages. The survival elements went to the wayside after the romantic relationships started to develop. I would have liked it to continue as that's part of what I love about PA romance. I'm interested enough in these characters to continue the series.
March 6, 2024
You find what you least expect.
I gave this a 5 stars because I freaking love Aly. Oh my I laughed so much with her. I'm sad they lost their place and boy the smutt was Hot. And I really like Jax and really felt for him and what he had to go through. I loved that Cole was such a Dom. And Hawk what a sweetheart. Now this is book 1 it says but there isn't any announcement of another one. I really hope that this isn't the end of them. Now she said their would be another series with Aly and her guys and some new characters and I'm happy about that. I just hooe that it has alot of Aly and her guys and they aren't swept to be side characters in the background. I hooe this series comes out quickly or atleast book 2. I really loved this book tho. I think you will too. It did have inconsistencies a couple is all so it's not a big deal. But I loved story the characters and the dog. I loved it. So bring on more Aly and her guys. I need more of them.
I gave this a 5 stars because I freaking love Aly. Oh my I laughed so much with her. I'm sad they lost their place and boy the smutt was Hot. And I really like Jax and really felt for him and what he had to go through. I loved that Cole was such a Dom. And Hawk what a sweetheart. Now this is book 1 it says but there isn't any announcement of another one. I really hope that this isn't the end of them. Now she said their would be another series with Aly and her guys and some new characters and I'm happy about that. I just hooe that it has alot of Aly and her guys and they aren't swept to be side characters in the background. I hooe this series comes out quickly or atleast book 2. I really loved this book tho. I think you will too. It did have inconsistencies a couple is all so it's not a big deal. But I loved story the characters and the dog. I loved it. So bring on more Aly and her guys. I need more of them.
May 5, 2023
Don't look for zombies
Listen, i love me a zombie apocalypse book, but this isn't that. They're kinda mentioned, but mainly, it's just a group of thugs. I am 8000% okay with that. Negan is awesome, The Governor is a dick, and Alpha is the best damn villain ever.
Honestly, other than the lack of zombies I liked it. There were a lot of funnies, but the writing seemed a little choppy at times. If you're looking for a good read without a lot of angst or drama, def go for this. It's not bad, just not zombies 🤷🏻♀️ thanks for coming to my TEDtalk, I'm not sorry I bought it.
Listen, i love me a zombie apocalypse book, but this isn't that. They're kinda mentioned, but mainly, it's just a group of thugs. I am 8000% okay with that. Negan is awesome, The Governor is a dick, and Alpha is the best damn villain ever.
Honestly, other than the lack of zombies I liked it. There were a lot of funnies, but the writing seemed a little choppy at times. If you're looking for a good read without a lot of angst or drama, def go for this. It's not bad, just not zombies 🤷🏻♀️ thanks for coming to my TEDtalk, I'm not sorry I bought it.
March 9, 2024
so spicy!
Ok so the description of this book doesn’t do this baby justice! It was recommended on my kindle app and I read the description and wasn’t thoroughly impressed but decided to give it a try anyway! Glad I did! This book was finger licking good spicy!!! More spice than plot in my opinion but I didn’t see any plot holes and it ended not on a cliffhanger! Just read it already!
Ok so the description of this book doesn’t do this baby justice! It was recommended on my kindle app and I read the description and wasn’t thoroughly impressed but decided to give it a try anyway! Glad I did! This book was finger licking good spicy!!! More spice than plot in my opinion but I didn’t see any plot holes and it ended not on a cliffhanger! Just read it already!
April 19, 2025
OH. MY. GAWD. What I had in my mind going into this book and what I have after is 🤯. Let’s just be real who doesn’t love THREE MMCs. The internal monologues and narratives these characters have with themselves through this book honestly make it the best. It was funny, entertaining, pulled at your heart strings and everything more. Plus, that one scene tho 😉. It is now living rent free in my head. Loved this book and so excited to read the rest of the series.
December 15, 2023
Whychoose apocalypse
This is a whychoose set during an apocalypse.
This is was full of humor (you would probably need that to survive alone with no human interaction) and endless movie/show references and quirky sayings. Along with A LOT of internal cometary.
The story itself his good and I loved that Cole, Hawk, Jax and Alessandra all had their own individual personalities. They also were handling the apocalypse and life in different ways. I had higher hopes for this but it was a little to slow for me and there is some errors in the book. It is a standalone (The ending does make it seem like there could be more coming for this world) and is told in MPOV.
This is a whychoose set during an apocalypse.
This is was full of humor (you would probably need that to survive alone with no human interaction) and endless movie/show references and quirky sayings. Along with A LOT of internal cometary.
The story itself his good and I loved that Cole, Hawk, Jax and Alessandra all had their own individual personalities. They also were handling the apocalypse and life in different ways. I had higher hopes for this but it was a little to slow for me and there is some errors in the book. It is a standalone (The ending does make it seem like there could be more coming for this world) and is told in MPOV.
October 12, 2023
I enjoyed the story. I liked the characters and the overall plot.
I do enjoy the other people suspense/fear as a fan of mainstream zombie villains.
This book does need editing.
I didn’t see an email for the author so I sent a FB message to send some errors over.
All in all, it’s a good debut book and I’d probably read this author again.
I do enjoy the other people suspense/fear as a fan of mainstream zombie villains.
This book does need editing.
I didn’t see an email for the author so I sent a FB message to send some errors over.
All in all, it’s a good debut book and I’d probably read this author again.
May 20, 2024
DNF 52%
I knew from the first chapter I wasn't going to like the book... but I gave it a chance and kept on reading.
The main issues of the book are: the characters (especially Alessandra), the plot and the writing.
So basically everything that matters.
Writing
The writing isn't bad per se, it's just that it sometimes gets convoluted or super detailed and sometimes weird, and it's... not great.
Example: "I said fuck the initiatives and hightailed it out of there the devil's own hellhounds were nipping at my ass". I get what the author was trying to do, but this is one of the first sentences in the book we get, and I personally didn't get the need to add the last part.
example 2: "They were part of the first wave, having lived in Georgia, themselves" Here, too, the "themselves" feels out of place.
Also, the personality of Alessandra bleeds into the basic factual writing, making me dislike it even more.
Example 3: "Our wonderful government issued a nationwide statement". From the previous description, the government was actually trying to do things to help the population so the conspiracy-theory-like "wonderful" was irritating to me. If it'd been "they all left us to die and saved themselves" then sure, the ironic "wonderful" would have made sense, but here it doesn't.
Example 4: When talking about the vaccine "Something to do with blood types or some other nonsense". This one right here almost made me quit reading instantly. The "or some other nonsense" is mind blowing to me. You're telling us the government is trying to save you, and trying to come up with a vaccine to save lives, but you're basically referring to it as "nonsense" ? Just die already.
The characters:
Alessandra:
She's basically a child. How she survived makes no sense whatsoever.
She's depicted as strong-willed, intelligent, funny ... WHERE?
The author also has a tendency of saying she's this and that, but never showing us.
She also becomes a whole different person depending on the situation. At first, she's supposed to be pretty badass for surviving the Apocalypse by herself, but then she's with the guys, and suddenly she's a little princess.
Also, can we talk about the lack of empathy she has ? She's lost her family and casually mentions it "they died, I cried" that's it.
The guys:
They suffer from the same change of personalities, unfortunately.
They're said to be "this and that", but it's never shown either, and they change from one page to another. For example, Jax is qualified as an asshole all the time. Cole and Hawk keep referring to him as such, but he's never been anything but a sweetheart? (Except that moment in his bedroom).
Also, I can feel the MM coming a mile away and bleh. If it was supposed to happen, it would have a long time ago, the timing is annoying.
The plot:
It's the apocalypse, and yet there are some ideas that make no sense at all.
Example 5: "Marshmallows?" I shake my head. Not exactly the healthiest or most nutrient rich food" WHO CARES ? IT'S THE APOCALYPSE
Example 6: Same thing again: "I'm going to push the fresh foods as long as I can. Everyone knows they're just plain better for you". Already in this day and age, eating healthy is not for everyone because it's not always available and it's expensive, but you're telling me you're going to stick to a healthy diet in the middle of an apocalypse? How can you be so picky ?
We're also supposed to buy some nonsense throughout the book.
"Coffee is from beans that steep in water making it bean juice and it's hot therefore it's spicy bean juice." I get that it's supposed to be a cute quirky coocoo thing, but the f? This makes no sense. Maybe the juice part, but spicy ? Please try harder.
The body-shaming was my breaking point.
"But little do they know that lots of guys prefer women with a little meat on their bones. We don't want to cuddle with a stick. Or bang a skeleton. No"
No for me.
Dear author, with all due respect, and I'm not even skinny, but on behalf of all the girls regardless of their weight, please do better.
I knew from the first chapter I wasn't going to like the book... but I gave it a chance and kept on reading.
The main issues of the book are: the characters (especially Alessandra), the plot and the writing.
So basically everything that matters.
Writing
The writing isn't bad per se, it's just that it sometimes gets convoluted or super detailed and sometimes weird, and it's... not great.
Example: "I said fuck the initiatives and hightailed it out of there the devil's own hellhounds were nipping at my ass". I get what the author was trying to do, but this is one of the first sentences in the book we get, and I personally didn't get the need to add the last part.
example 2: "They were part of the first wave, having lived in Georgia, themselves" Here, too, the "themselves" feels out of place.
Also, the personality of Alessandra bleeds into the basic factual writing, making me dislike it even more.
Example 3: "Our wonderful government issued a nationwide statement". From the previous description, the government was actually trying to do things to help the population so the conspiracy-theory-like "wonderful" was irritating to me. If it'd been "they all left us to die and saved themselves" then sure, the ironic "wonderful" would have made sense, but here it doesn't.
Example 4: When talking about the vaccine "Something to do with blood types or some other nonsense". This one right here almost made me quit reading instantly. The "or some other nonsense" is mind blowing to me. You're telling us the government is trying to save you, and trying to come up with a vaccine to save lives, but you're basically referring to it as "nonsense" ? Just die already.
The characters:
Alessandra:
She's basically a child. How she survived makes no sense whatsoever.
She's depicted as strong-willed, intelligent, funny ... WHERE?
The author also has a tendency of saying she's this and that, but never showing us.
She also becomes a whole different person depending on the situation. At first, she's supposed to be pretty badass for surviving the Apocalypse by herself, but then she's with the guys, and suddenly she's a little princess.
Also, can we talk about the lack of empathy she has ? She's lost her family and casually mentions it "they died, I cried" that's it.
The guys:
They suffer from the same change of personalities, unfortunately.
They're said to be "this and that", but it's never shown either, and they change from one page to another. For example, Jax is qualified as an asshole all the time. Cole and Hawk keep referring to him as such, but he's never been anything but a sweetheart? (Except that moment in his bedroom).
Also, I can feel the MM coming a mile away and bleh. If it was supposed to happen, it would have a long time ago, the timing is annoying.
The plot:
It's the apocalypse, and yet there are some ideas that make no sense at all.
Example 5: "Marshmallows?" I shake my head. Not exactly the healthiest or most nutrient rich food" WHO CARES ? IT'S THE APOCALYPSE
Example 6: Same thing again: "I'm going to push the fresh foods as long as I can. Everyone knows they're just plain better for you". Already in this day and age, eating healthy is not for everyone because it's not always available and it's expensive, but you're telling me you're going to stick to a healthy diet in the middle of an apocalypse? How can you be so picky ?
We're also supposed to buy some nonsense throughout the book.
"Coffee is from beans that steep in water making it bean juice and it's hot therefore it's spicy bean juice." I get that it's supposed to be a cute quirky coocoo thing, but the f? This makes no sense. Maybe the juice part, but spicy ? Please try harder.
The body-shaming was my breaking point.
"But little do they know that lots of guys prefer women with a little meat on their bones. We don't want to cuddle with a stick. Or bang a skeleton. No"
No for me.
Dear author, with all due respect, and I'm not even skinny, but on behalf of all the girls regardless of their weight, please do better.
June 13, 2024
2.5 DNF
So I got through over 50% and got bored. I think my problem was I read Sanctuary before this and the same expectations with it being zombies and fighting and excitement. But it was the fmc (who was funny in the beginning) but it was more about the relationships between these people who find each other after the zombie apocalypse. And at first it was funny and entertaining it was insta love (which I didn't mind because it was the zombie apocalypse) but the angst and after she sleeps with 2 out of the 3 guys she's self conscious about her body all of a sudden insert🙄 because of course she 5'4 thin and curvy. Like said I just got bored.
So I got through over 50% and got bored. I think my problem was I read Sanctuary before this and the same expectations with it being zombies and fighting and excitement. But it was the fmc (who was funny in the beginning) but it was more about the relationships between these people who find each other after the zombie apocalypse. And at first it was funny and entertaining it was insta love (which I didn't mind because it was the zombie apocalypse) but the angst and after she sleeps with 2 out of the 3 guys she's self conscious about her body all of a sudden insert🙄 because of course she 5'4 thin and curvy. Like said I just got bored.
Read
November 17, 2024Well I started reading it. But I had to dnf it.. 23% inn.. I just don't get her.. how the f did she survive? How, after having had to flee her short term home and finally finding a maybe new shortterm home does her thoughts go to marshmallows and not having had sex in a while.. with corpses around, no water left, no food and no clue what could be lurking ahead?
Then waking up after a heatstroke in a new place to a strange man, uuhh he is so hot??!! How is that your first reaction? Not what does he want .. you could just tell he was a good guy.. feel all the way down deep inside
Nope this just wasn't for me..
Then waking up after a heatstroke in a new place to a strange man, uuhh he is so hot??!! How is that your first reaction? Not what does he want .. you could just tell he was a good guy.. feel all the way down deep inside
Nope this just wasn't for me..
September 10, 2023
Positives:
- fun characters. I really liked specially the mmcs, they’d have very different personalities from each other!
- interesting plot
- good spice
Negatives:
- too long and wordy for me. It would be better with more editing.
- it felt so frustrating that the fmc was a little annoying at times. Not to say stupid, because things could be easily avoided if she used her brain.
- basically zero zombies
- fun characters. I really liked specially the mmcs, they’d have very different personalities from each other!
- interesting plot
- good spice
Negatives:
- too long and wordy for me. It would be better with more editing.
- it felt so frustrating that the fmc was a little annoying at times. Not to say stupid, because things could be easily avoided if she used her brain.
- basically zero zombies
June 1, 2024
Okay. This book. OMG
I received this as an author spotlight book on TikTok, and I’M SO GLAD I DID!
The character dynamic had me completely absorbed. I wish there would have been more zombie interaction, but honestly, this book is still a 5-star read for me. I read it over a week ago and I still can’t stop thinking about it! Obsessed!!!!
Hawk and Jax are mine. Just saying. Cole is up for grabs… maybe 🤓
SPRINTING TO BOOK 2!!!!!!
I received this as an author spotlight book on TikTok, and I’M SO GLAD I DID!
The character dynamic had me completely absorbed. I wish there would have been more zombie interaction, but honestly, this book is still a 5-star read for me. I read it over a week ago and I still can’t stop thinking about it! Obsessed!!!!
Hawk and Jax are mine. Just saying. Cole is up for grabs… maybe 🤓
SPRINTING TO BOOK 2!!!!!!
July 1, 2024
I DNF’d this book around 80%. The characters had no depth, the FMC somehow seemed to survive by blind luck alone, and there is genuinely no plot at all or romance. It’s just smut. Which isn’t always bad, but this just wasn’t a good book and I don’t really understand the positive reviews. Somehow there were essentially no zombie interactions in a “zombie” apocalypse book.
The only bonus was that the humor was enjoyable at some points.
The only bonus was that the humor was enjoyable at some points.
July 30, 2024
DNF at 59%. World building is kinda meh, it’s post apocalyptic but doesn’t feel like it after the first few chapters. FMC had a funny, quirky inner (sometimes outer) monologue that I enjoyed. Insta-lust and conflict shows up pretty quickly. I felt no connection with the characters or their situation. Writing wasn’t bad but KU had some editing errors. The storyline just didn’t pull me in. Would rather reread the Sanctuary series (SM Olivier) or any Harley Tate PA book.
September 3, 2024
Okay, first off I’m obsessed with zombie apocalypse! I love the suspense! I also, am obsessed with reverse harem! I’ve read a couple of reverse harem zombie apocalypse books, and I can’t get enough! So when this series showed up in kindle recommendations I was so here for it! The plot is good, I do wish there was more zombie action, but knowing the series is not complete I’m hopeful to see more of that. The spice is great! For this being the first book, I was worried there would be no spice until closer to the end. Which is fine, I just prefer more fast burn reads. There are errors, but I don’t feel like it deters from reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2023
I am most definitely a mood reader and I was stuck between some other genres and then this beauty found me on tiktok. I really enjoyed the zombie apocalypse/dystopian vibes and the found family the characters have. It was refreshing to see the characters struggle and grow throughout the story and be able to handle any problems that came their way. I really enjoyed this one! Kudos to the author!
May 2, 2024
Holy Moly Batman
I’m not even sure where to start, and in general I like to think I am quite eloquent. I LOVE this book. I love the writing, the characters, the plot- all of it. I love me a good zombie apocalypse book, and this one didn’t disappoint. I’m recommending this to all of my book friends, and I can’t wait for the next one.
I’m not even sure where to start, and in general I like to think I am quite eloquent. I LOVE this book. I love the writing, the characters, the plot- all of it. I love me a good zombie apocalypse book, and this one didn’t disappoint. I’m recommending this to all of my book friends, and I can’t wait for the next one.
June 16, 2024
AMAZING DEBUT!!! I had no clue until the author’s note at the end this was a debut novel. I loved each character and most of the pov voices felt unique throughout. Some might say the story was slow but I actually like when I get to view the characters getting closer over time. Spicy scenes were top tier as well.
April 24, 2023
Awesome
This was a good apocalyptic story. The building of Aly and the guys relationship, seeing how they survived and lived during the end of days but that ending omg! And all that steamy had me fanning myself.
This was a good apocalyptic story. The building of Aly and the guys relationship, seeing how they survived and lived during the end of days but that ending omg! And all that steamy had me fanning myself.
May 13, 2023
Great Start
I love zombie apocalypse. The zombies played a smaller role however your characters took control. I look forward to the next installment. I will recommend to my book club readers.
I love zombie apocalypse. The zombies played a smaller role however your characters took control. I look forward to the next installment. I will recommend to my book club readers.
November 30, 2023
Oh my gravy!!!
This was definitely an unexpected surprise. I went in not knowing what to expect and I had a blast reading. Hawk was absolutely fantastic and adorable, we all need a Hawk in our lives. So looking forward to seeing where their story goes in the future.
This was definitely an unexpected surprise. I went in not knowing what to expect and I had a blast reading. Hawk was absolutely fantastic and adorable, we all need a Hawk in our lives. So looking forward to seeing where their story goes in the future.
July 14, 2025
Sadly a dnf 🥲 Got to chapter 30 and just was very bored…had high hopes for this book but it doesn’t grip me like I thought it would :/
Characters are all quite repetitive and the plot is nonexistent even half way through.
Characters are all quite repetitive and the plot is nonexistent even half way through.
Read
August 24, 2025I struggled... DNF
The number of times I tried with this story .... I just couldn't get into it.
We barely get know Alexandra then we are bombarded with smut. Just no.
Is it too much to ask for a plot???
I can't recommend this one.
The number of times I tried with this story .... I just couldn't get into it.
We barely get know Alexandra then we are bombarded with smut. Just no.
Is it too much to ask for a plot???
I can't recommend this one.
May 22, 2023
good
This was a good book. I’m pretty sad over that place though, it sounded pretty cool. But they’re right, as long as they’re together, home is where the heart is.
This was a good book. I’m pretty sad over that place though, it sounded pretty cool. But they’re right, as long as they’re together, home is where the heart is.
Read
June 14, 2023DNF
June 19, 2024
Spoiler free review! Plot is 10/10 spice is 10/10 characters and character development 10/10! I have been recommending this series to literally all of my bookish friends!
July 9, 2024
No… dnf at 2%! The writing style and choosing of words is just crap imo.
Some may like that sort of stuff though!
Some may like that sort of stuff though!
August 7, 2024
Dnf
This was a DNF for me at 22 percent. I love zombies books and I love it even more when it’s RH. I don’t know why but this book just didn’t click for me.
This was a DNF for me at 22 percent. I love zombies books and I love it even more when it’s RH. I don’t know why but this book just didn’t click for me.
December 7, 2024
DNF at 56%
It started great but it just got boring and I can't keep forcing myself to finish it.
This one just wasn't for me.
It started great but it just got boring and I can't keep forcing myself to finish it.
This one just wasn't for me.
February 7, 2025
crazy ride
The twists in this book were amazing! The banter between the characters was hilarious and I freaking loved the fmc!
The twists in this book were amazing! The banter between the characters was hilarious and I freaking loved the fmc!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews